NORML Tallahassee has made significant impacts in the fight for cannabis legalization. Here are highlights.
Evidence-based analyses facts over fiction paints the true picture of legalization.
2025 Lobbied Against SB 2514 Appropriation Proviso Language s. 381.986(5)(d)(e), F.S.
The bill would have permanently revoked qualified medical marijuana patients from the medical marijuana program for a felony drug conviction for trafficking, sale, manufacture, or delivery of, possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver. NORML Tallahassee immediately sent language that states, “medical marijuana is a constitutional right….” Three days after sending correspondence the Florida House adopted this language, “[i]f such person wishes to seek reinstatement of his or her registration as a qualified patient, the person may submit a new application accompanied by a notarized attestation by the applicant that he or she has completed all terms of incarceration, probation, community control, or supervision related to the offense.”
2025 Lobbied Against CS/HB 687 Driving and Boating Offenses
Specifically, lobbied to remove any reference to “any intoxicating or impairing substance” and mention of “blood samples”. The law requires that a person be told that failure to submit to a lawful test of breath or urine subsequent to a DUI arrest commits a first or second degree misdemeanor.
2021
Florida Supreme Court strikes down the Sensible Florida Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Constitutional Initiative. NORML Tallahassee advocated for this measure which allowed for an open and free market as in the hemp industry and personal home grow.
Florida Supreme Court strikes down the Make It Legal Florida Constitutional Initiative. NORML Tallahassee advocated against this measure which would have allowed MMTCs medical marijuana treatment centers to monopolize the adult use market. This language did not include home grow.
2018-2017 Lobbied Against the No Smoking Ban in the medical marijuana program and for All Ages to Access
NORML Tallahassee led a procedural strategic stand off with public speakers extending the lengths of their remarks to legislative committee members in order to exhaust the committee meeting times. Committee Chairs now have the ability to mute speakers.
2018-2016 Dismantled the Adult Civil Citation Program that benefited a substance abuse and mental health provider
Worked to dismantle the Adult Civil Citation Program established by a Memorandum of Understanding with Disc Village, a substance abuse and mental health provider, and the City of Tallahassee, Leon County, and law enforcement. The ACCP was found to violate constitutional rights because the program lacked due process. A person had to admit guilt in order to pay a $380 fine to Disc Village. The Second Judicial Circuit closed the program down. This led many counties and cities in Florida to adopt civil citation fines for misdemeanor possession.
Music Fundraisers
The Directors of NORML Tallahassee held the first music fundraiser “Party for Progress” July 2016 to support Sensible Florida’s initiative Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. Sway Jah Vu and Your Captain Speaking headlined the event!!
Music fundraisers support efforts to bring the community together, educate the public, register voters, legalize marijuana for personal users at the federal and state level, and to provide support services for the medical marijuana program and to individuals impacted by the criminal justice system due to marijuana cannabis prohibition.
Fundraisers place the spotlight on consumers, artists, artisans, musicians, and cannabis businesses.
The promo music video below is from the 2017 420 Smoke Out Festival. Aptly named to oppose the Florida medical marijuana smoking ban lifted in 2019.
North Florida Cannabis Culture Festival
This event was held in anticipation of the November 2022 Elections. Fun Community Outreach to inform Voters.
Video performance by Travis Green from Sway Jah Vu
Music Performances by The Retrograde, Funky Taters, Dusty Gravelers, and Tim Russell
Get the Vote Out
The Voter Registration Drive, Outreach and Engagement event took place on October 7, 2016, at the Warehouse.
Video Performances by: Riley, Matthew Cloutier, and Old Soul Revival
Do you need assistance with access to the medical marijuana program or the criminal justice system?
Executive Director Melissa Villar, BS, MPA
Melissa is lifetime supporter of cannabis. While studying marijuana reform at the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University my academic platform provided the perfect opportunity to collaborate with NORML of Florida and Sensible Florida. Melissa, officially “came out of the cannabis closet” and resigned as a staff member of the Florida House of Representatives in 2015, due to the troubling realization that personal marijuana consumers did not have proper representation at the state capitol or at the local level.
Melissa dubbed the term “Coming out of the Cannabis Closet” early on to stand in cultural and social unity and solidarity with groups fighting for civil rights and freedoms, and to be a voice for the cannabis community.
Deputy Director Travis Green
Travis is a professional and talented musician, guitarist, lyricist, and vocalist for the band Sway Jah Vu. He is the owner and operator of New Green Organiks Nursery, North Florida Hemp Farms, The Flower Vault, King Fuego, President of New Green Hemp, Inc., and Director of Operations for The Holistic Cannabis Community.
Travis’ skills and talent bring a perspective to the commercial and personal use industry that are invaluable and unparalleled to build the legalization market in Florida.
Communications Director Alex Petrick
Alex is responsible for advancing the cannabis industry in Florida by supporting the first small business hemp specialty store in the Capital City. He is the owner of Florida Hemp Distribution and co-owner of Crystal Creek Organics.
NORML Tallahassee Board Members
Not Pictured: Philip Hiss, Lisa McCorkle, and Julian Wimbush
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